Ou Ning

Ou Ning (born 1969, Jiangsu province, China) is a Chinese filmmaker, artist, curator, and writer. He is a prominent figure in the independent film and art scene in China, known for his socially engaged documentary filmmaking and his exploration of urban and rural transformations within the country.

Ou Ning's work often focuses on the impact of rapid economic development and globalization on Chinese society, particularly on marginalized communities and traditional cultural practices. His documentaries frequently examine themes of urban sprawl, rural exodus, and the loss of cultural heritage.

He is perhaps best known for his film San Yuan Li (2003), co-directed with Cao Fei, which documents the everyday life of residents in San Yuan Li, a village near Guangzhou undergoing rapid urbanization. Other notable films include Meishi Street (2006), which chronicles the displacement of residents along Meishi Street in Beijing due to urban redevelopment projects, and Oxhide II (2009), in which he plays himself in a fictionalized account of a filmmaker struggling to finance his work (directed by Ji Dan).

Beyond filmmaking, Ou Ning is involved in curatorial projects, including the Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture. He also founded and edited the independent literary journal Chutzpah! which played a significant role in fostering alternative cultural discourse in China. His writings have been published in various journals and books, focusing on topics ranging from urbanism and art to politics and social critique.